Bhubaneswar: Even as Super Cyclone Amphan is heading as per its projected path till now, Odisha government is not taking any chances and gearing up with highest level of preparedness.
Odisha Chief Secretary, Asit Tripathy on Monday categorically stated that “Keeping past experiences in view where some cyclones went off track, Odisha is making all possible efforts to tackle any emergency situation arising out of the impending super cyclone Amphan.”
Tripathy further informed that Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has reviewed the preparedness with the collectors of 12 districts expected to be affected.
“As low-transmission lines get damaged even in wind speed between 60 to 100 kmph, we have urged Centre to assist in restoration work post cyclone. Our focus is now on evacuation and other arrangements on ground besides regular restoration work,” said Tripathy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting today to review the response measures for super cyclone ‘Amphan’ developing in the Bay of Bengal. He took stock of the situation and reviewed the preparedness as well as the evacuation plan presented by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba also chaired the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting and discussed the preparedness. He spoke to Chief Secretaries West Bengal and Odisha regarding their requirements and preparedness.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, “The impact of the cyclone Amphan will be more in West Bengal while coastal Odisha will experience strong wind and heavy rainfall. As wind speed will reach 165-195 kmph with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, there could be large-scale damages,” said Mohapatra.
Mohapatra further informed that Cyclone Amphan could uproot trees, communications and power transmission poles, bend telephone lines and cause extensive damage to thatched/kutcha houses, crops and plantations.
The cyclone would have early impact on the north coastal districts of Odisha, including Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore districts, Mohapatra added.
HR Biswas, director of Regional Meteorological Centre (Bhubaneswar) informed that the wind speed will increase to 110-120 kmph (135 kmph gusts) by May 20 afternoon in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore & Mayurbhanj districts.
The government today deputed four senior IAS officers and equal number of IPS officers to four coastal districts to provide guidance and support to the district administrations in Amphan management.
Transport Secretary Madhu Sudan Padhi, Chief Electoral Officer Sushil Kumar Lohani, Industries Secretary Hemant Sharma and Higher Education Secretary Saswat Mishra have been deputed to Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts, respectively.
NDRF DG Satyanarayan Pradhan, who briefed media persons today evening, said, “So far we have deployed 19 NDRF teams in West Bengal and 13 teams in Odisha. Besides, additional 17 teams are on standby in Odisha along with 6 other battalions which can be sent immediately to West Bengal and other districts in Odisha as per requirement.”
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(Edited By: Bikram Jena)